henson



' (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.. J W HENSON BILL AND LETTER FILE.

No. 448,149. Patented Mar, 10, 1891.

(No Model.) 2 SheetsShet 2. J. W. HENSON.

I BILL AND LETTER FILE. I No. 448,149. Patented Mar. 10, 1891. y

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l aarnnm JOSEPH IV. BENSON, OF LA GRANGE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO N. EDIVARD JENNISON, OF SAME PLACE.

BILL OR LETTER FILE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 448,149, dated March 10, 1891.

' Application filed July 1, 1890. Serial No. 357,371- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J osnrn W. HnNsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at La Grange, in the county of Cook, State of Illi- 5 nois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Bill or Letter Files, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to bill or letter files of that kind comprising two stationary parro allel receiving needles or wires and two movable and parallel transfer needles or wires located the same distance apart as said stationary needles, so that when said stationary and movable needles are brought together two [5 continuous parallel wires will be provided in the ordinary manner.

Heretofore files of this description that have been put into practice usually develop objectionable features, prominent among which a is the fact that the movable wires after use become untrue-that is to say, they lose their registry with the stationary wires, so thatthe free ends of the wires when brought together will not form an unbroken joint, but will 2 5 make a lap-joint or sometimes will not meet at all. It is manifest that when the papers are to be transferred from one of the wires to the other the broken joint will prevent such transfer and occasion trouble and delay.

One of the objects of my invention is to obviate this difiiculty by providing a file of simplified construction embodying a minimum number of parts, which is thus less liable to become disarranged or out of order.

A further object of my invention is to provide a bill o letter file with a punching device of simple construction which is conveniently located.

An advantage due to the simplified construction is its durability and cheapness, it being possible to furnish a strong file at a reduced cost possessing a great efficiency of action.

IVith these particular objects in view the object of my invention can be generally stated to be to render a device of this character highly efficient in its general action, and to so construct and adapt certain component parts both with reference to individual use and service relating to one another as to avoid the wear and breakage commonly incident to devices of this character, thereby prolonging the life and utility of and rendering a cheaper device.

The invention consists in features of construetion and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification, Figure 1 is a per- 50 spect-ive View of a letter-file constructed in accordance with my invention, illustrating the transfer-wiresin engagement with the re ceiving-wires. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, illustrating the transfe -wires 6 5 thrown back and disengaged from said reoeiving-wires. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. i is a vertical sectional view of the same on the line 4. 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the blank from which the upright side spring-plates are formed, upon which are mounted the operating parts of my invention. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the punch in detail. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the punch. Fig. 8 is a crosssection of the punch on the line 8 8 of Fig. (3. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view of that part of one of the upright spring-plates having the rib thereon for engaging the transfer-wire. Fig. 10 is a modified form of construction em- 8o bodying my invention.

In said drawings, A indicates a base-board or support for said file.

B B indicate the receiving-wires, and C O the transfer-wires, as Iterm them,it being understood that said terms are not used in their literal sense, as'I do not wish to limit myself to the use of wires. The receiving-wires B are stationary and parallel, and are rigidly secured to the base-board A and desir- 9o ably stand in a vertical position. The transfer-wires O are conveniently joined together and made from a single piece of wire and comprise the straight intermediate bearing portion 0, the offsets or bent side portions 5 c c, and the arched needles or transfer-wires c 0 as shown. It is obvious that the arched transfer-wires are parallel and are'in register with the upper ends of the receivingwires B, so that when their ends meet an unbroken joint is made. The said transfer-wires are adapted to swing or turn upon the inter- IOO mediate bearing portion as an axis, and to this end said portion 0 is supported in horizontal bearings which permit the upward and backward swing of said transfer-wires to a certain extent, and said bearings are so located that when the transfer-wires are swung forward their ends will meet with precision the upper ends of the receiving-wires. Stop devices are also provided for holding the transfer-wires in their forward position. The said bearings and stop devices are formed by two upright side spring-plates D D, which are formed from a blank such as shown in Fig. 5, which comprises, essentially, the upright portion D and the base or support D. To provide said bearings and stops, the upper portion of the blank is enlarged and provided with an opening or bearing-aperture cl, adapted to receive the straight portion 0 of the transfer-wires. It is obvious that said spring-plates D must stand close to the offsets c of the transfer-wires to make a firm joint and prevent a side movement or side wabbling of the latter. To secure this end and also the positive positioning of the receiving-wires, the bases D of said plates, which, it is unden stood, are bent upwardly at right angles to the plates, are made of such a size that their inner ends meeting each other will hold the plate in the desired position. The said bases are also provided with projections 61, having apertures 01 which receive the wires B and hold them in position.

The means for providing the stop for the transfer-wires comprise a ridge or rib D upon the plate D, near the upper end thereof, and located relatively to said offset so that the latter will ride over the ridge during the turning of the transfer-wires. A depression or notch 61 is made in said rib D ,into which the offset enters when the wires are at the forward limit of their movement, so that they will be locked in this position. The said plates D are preferably made of some metal possessing inherent elasticity and stand normally next to the offsets without pressing against the latter; but when the wires 0 are turned the offsets, riding over the ridges or ribs D will press the said plates inwardly until said offsets reach the depressions, whereupon the plates will spring outward and lock the wire in position. Small outwardly-projecting lips or lugs d are located upon the plate to limit the backward swing of said wires, said backward swing being sufficient to bring the points of the wires in the same vertical plane with the front edges of the plates D, so that they will not interfere with the removal of the papers from the receiving-wires, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I provide an exceedingly-simple letter-file, as it comprises in the instance shown but five parts, which are easy and inexpensive to manufacture. It is obvious that the spring-plates can be struck up with dies, which forms .a desirable feature. By the arrangement of the meeting edges of the plates they can be placed and secured in position without the requ'irementof nice measurements, so that skilled labor will not be necessary for their manufacture.

The matter of operation will be plainly obvious, it being noted that in the device shown the length of the transfer-wires from the top of the arch to the offsets is equal to ora little more than the height of the receiving-wires, so that it is possible even when the receivingwires are full of papers to throw all the papers back upon the transfer-wires and beyond the highest point of their curve. Thus it will be seen that if the transfer-wires should be thrown partially back the papers would not have a tendency to fall therefrom, and as the backward swing continues the distance between the offset and the highest point of the curve increases.

A convenient Way for unlocking and throwing back the transfer-wires consists in placing the thumb of the right hand against the inner side of the right-hand transfer-wire near the top of the latter, with the index finger of the same hand placed near the end of such wire and on the opposite side. Then by giving a twisting motion to the right on top the transfer-wires will be unlocked and swung backward. But little force is required to unlock the wires, although ten times such force, or even more, applied in a straight line would not unlock the wires The above method of operation and statement have both been proved by actual experiment with a full-sized device.

In Fig. 10 is shown a modified form of construction, which embraces transfer-wires having recessed or hollow ends to engage the receiving-wires.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that I provide a practical, inexpensive, durable, and efficientletter-file, the transfer and receiving wires of which are made, located, secured, and supported in bearings with such rigidity that the liability of it becoming out of order, thus causing a broken joint to form between them, is reduced to a minimum.

It is desirable that a letter-tile should be provided with a punch which is located conveniently with relation to the receiving-wires, so that the paper to be filed can be quickly slipped upon the receiving-wires after being punctured.- To this end I have, as a separate and distinct improvement, furnished a bill or letter file with a punch located within the space inclosed by transfer and receiving wires and approximately in the same horizontal plane with the upper ends of the receivingwires. The punch is operated by a hand-lever, which is lifted into position when necessary and then thrown down out of the way when not in use. 'By having a lever of this description I am enabled to locate the punch,

as set forth, and yet have a powerful punch, it being manifest that heretofore punches IIK which have been similarly located have not possessed the strength which is desirable and necessary in a punch of this description. Although said punch is desirably located in the same horizontal plane with the upper ends of the receiving-wires, yet it is to be understood that it can be otherwise located, as found convenient.

In Figs. 6,7, and 8 said punch E is shown in detail and comprises a lower plate or female die e and upper plate or male die 0' and an intermediate stripper-plate e These parts are of the ordinary construction, are secured together at their rear ends, and normally stand apart or separated, as shown in Fig. 8. The length of the body portions of said plates is such that they will go between the upright spring-plates, while the lower plate is provided with lateral ears 6 c at its rear edge, which are adapted to enter slots @481 in the said spring-plates, whereby the punch is held in position. The forward part of the said spring-plate at about the level of the receiving-wires is slotted or cut away, as at D and provided with a wing or flap cl upon the lower edge of the open slot The wing d: is bent into a horizontal position and provides a bracket to aid in supporting the punch, which is widened at its front portion and located within the slots D in an obvious manner. The lower plate (2 is preferably riveted or fastened to the flaps or wings (I to make a more rigid support.

F indicates the punch-lever having a crosspiece or-handlefand side bars ff, having outwardly-turned lugs f f at the ends there of. The side bars ff fit snugly between the side springplates of the device and extend down between said side plates and the narrow part of the body portion of the punch, as shown in Fig. The lugs f 2 are arranged in upright slots D, made in the side plates. The said slots D" extend from a point just above the open slot D to a point near the lower end of the plate, and said slots D and D" open into each other, thereby disconnecting the front and rear parts of the side plates from each other, so that the front portions of the plates which are rigidly secured together by the punch will not impair the spring action of the portions of plates carrying the transfer-wires. When the lugs f rest in the lower ends of the slots, the cross-piece of the lever will be below the tops of the side plates, so as not to interfere with the papers when they are thrown back upon the transfer-wires. The side bars of the lever F are provided near their lower ends with rear bends or crooks f", whereby the contact between said levers and the upper plate of the punch is confined to one point, such point being on a line be tween the punch-pins of said punch, as shown in Fig. 4. It is obvious that the said lever will be elevated only when the transfer-wires are thrown back, for at such times only can a paper be inserted in the punch, so that at all other times when the lever is not in. use it is held fast by the spring-plates, which are pressed inwardly when the wires are thrown forwardly, and thus impinge upon the side bars of the lever and prevent shaking or rattling of the latter.

The manner of using this form of punch is as follows: When a paper is to be placed upon the file, the transfer-wires are thrown. back empty or with papers thereon, as desired. The paper is then passed within the punch and the lever lifted and brought down upon the punch to cause the paper to be punctured. Upon throwing the lever back the plates of the punch will spring apart, and as the paper is drawn out the holes in it will be immediately over the receiving-wires, so that it can be easily placed thereon. The transfer-wires are then thrown back and engage the receiving-wires and cause the plates to bind the lever.

It will be noted that the upright springplates can have strengthening ribs or flanges for stiffening or strengthening the same, and

also that the metal which is removed to form the upright slots or guideways can be made into ribs for the above purpose. It will be further noted that the ribs or ridges which are shown as struck up from the side plates can be made by flanges on the edge thereof. The offsets and transfer-needles, which have been indicated by separate names and letters, can of course be varied in their shape and the needles connected directly with the bearing portion 0.

It will be understood that various changes in the construction can be resorted to and the minor details variously modified without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim as my invention- 1. A paper-file comprising a base, receiving-wires, uprights possessing inherent elasticity and having bearings, and movable transfer-wires pivotally supported in said bearings, said uprights engaging and acting upon said transfer-wires and serving to hold the same with relation to their pivotal sup port.

2. A paper-file comprising a base, receiving-wires, movable transfer-wires, and upright spring'plates upon which said transferwires are supported,said upright spring-plates engaging and acting upon said transfer-wires and said receiving and transfer wires being adapted to be joined by said transfer-wires approaching and engaging the receiving-wires by a substantially longitudinal movement.

A paper-file comprising a base-board,-receiving-wires, movable transfer-wires having a bearing portion, and upright spring-plates upon which said bearing portion is supported, said upright spring-plates engaging and acting upon said transfer-wires.

4. A paper-file comprising a base-board, receiving wires, movable transfer wires embracing an intermediate bearing portion 0 and side needles 0 and spring-uprigh ts which support said intermediate bearing portion and bear against said needles.

5. A paper-file comprising a base-board, receiving-wires, and movable transferwires supported by upright spring-plates, said plates bearing against said transfer-wires to lock the same-in engagement with said receivingwires.

6. A paper-file comprising abase-board, receiving-wires, movable transferwires embracing an intermediate bearing portion 0, oft'sets c, and needles and upright springplates for supporting said wires and which bear against said offsets.

7. A paper-file comprising a base-board, receivin g Wires, movable transfer wires embracing an intermediate bearing portion and needles, and upright spring-plates supporting said bearing portion and provided with notches for engaging said needles when they meet the receiving-wires.

S. A paper-file comprising a base-board,receivingwires, movable transfer wires embracing an intermediate bearing portion and needles, and upright spring-plates supporting said bearing portion and provided with ribs or ridges having notches, said notches being located to engage said needles when the latter meet the receiving-Wires.

9. A paper-file comprising a base, two upright spring-plates having base portions D and perforated projections d, receiving-wires secured in said perforated projections, and movable transfer-wires supported upon said upright springplates, said upright springplates engaging and acting upon said transfer-wires.

10. A paper-file comprising a base-board, receivingwires, movable transferwires embracing an intermediate bearing portion 0, offsets c, and needles c upright spring-plates having bearing-apertures for supporting said intermediate portion, and ribs or ridges on said plates having notches located to engage said offsets when the transfer-wires meet the receiving-wires.

11. In a paper-file having receiving-wires and movable transfer-wires supported upon upright spring-plates which engage and set upon said transfer-wires, stops upon said upright spring-plates for limiting the rearward movement of said transfer-wires.

1 2. A paper-file having a base-board, receiving-wires, movable transfer-wires supported by upright side plates, and a punch supported by said side plates.

13. A paper-file having a baseboard, receiving-wires, movable transfer-wires supported by upright side plates, a punch supported by side plates, and a sliding lever for operating said punch.

14. A paper-file having a base-board, receiving-wires, movable transfer-wires supported by upright side plates,a punch supported by said side plates, upright guideways upon said side plates, and a lever for operating said punch sliding in said guideways.

15. A paper-file having a base-board, receiving-wires, movable transfer-wires supported by upright side plates, a punch provided With lateral ears or projections a which engage openings 6 in said plates, and brackets or supports near the forward portions of said plates, upon which the punch rests.

16. A paper-file having a base-board, receiving-Wires, movable transfer-Wires supported by upright side plates, a punch supported by said plates, guideways in said plates, and a lever for operating said punch, having a cross bar and side bars having lugs which enter said guideways.

17. A paper-file having a base-board, receiving-wires, movable transfer-wires supported by upright spring-plates, a punch supported by said plates, and a sliding operating-lever located between said plates and adapted to be engaged and held by said plates When the transferqvires are in engagement with the receiving-wires.

18. A paper-file having a base-board, receiving-wires, movable wires supported upon upright spring-plates which are adapted to lock the transfer-wires in engagement with the receiving-wires, upright slot-s D in said plates, and substantially horizontal slots D leading from near the upper ends of said slots D through the plates, wings d projecting from the lower edges of said slots D, a punch supported by said plates and resting within said slots D and secured to said wings, and an operating-lever arranged to slide within said upright slots.

JOSEPH 4W. I'IENSON.

Witnesses;

HARRY G. KENNEDY, T. WAGNER. 

